MARBC News & Notes – June/July 2007

ALTO, First Baptist Church (Steve Harduk) – First Baptist celebrates a special adoption that recently took place in their church family. The Chappell family recently celebrated the adoption of two children. They share: “Alina and Bach's citizenship is the culmination of a long journey that began 8 years ago. In 1999 we filled out a 3 inch mountain of paperwork. We went to Russia to pick Alina up. When we landed at the Atlanta GA airport, she was given a permanent resident alien card and a temporary social security card. Twelve months later we brought her brother Bachitzhan home. For the next 4 years the government checked our home, checked their adjustment and their development. In November of 2005, after all of the post placement visits, we applied for citizenship. Then we had to wait. A year later, on December 28, 2006 Alina and Bach went to Detroit for their interview and to have new pictures taken. Afterwards, we began to wait again. On March 15, 2007 the citizenship papers were sent to us by certified mail. Alina Elizabeth and Abram Bachitzhan Chappell forfeited their Russian citizenship and they now possess all the rights and freedoms of an American. They have the right to worship God, the right to an education, the right to reach their full potential and the responsibility to make contributions to their new and permanent country.” We praise God with the Chappells and the First Baptist family for this joyful testimony!

​BAY CITY, South Baptist Church (Mark Kirkpatrick) – South Baptist rejoices in the great door of opportunity the Lord has opened with the addition of Brian Myers as the church's Outreach Ministry Director effective June 1. Brian and his wife Lisa have previously been serving as lay youth workers in the church. Brian shares, “Lisa and I are very thankful for this opportunity and thrilled with the fact that the Lord as allowed us to stay at our home church to serve Him full time! We ask for your continued prayers as we begin our new ministry.” The Myers have 3 children, Hannah (9), Aaron (6) and Mara (4 months).
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CASS CITY, First Baptist Church (David Hill) – First Baptist church has extended a call to Rev. David Hill to serve as pastor. Pastor Dave and his wife, Mary Jo, are very familiar to our MARBC family, having served several years as the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Lapeer. Pastor Hill had served as the interim pastor at First Baptist since January and was asked to prayerfully consider becoming the church's pastor in April. The Hills began their official ministry with the church on April 29.

CMARBC Spring Family Day – Families from the Central MARBC gathered at The Springs on April 14 for a day of fellowship. The afternoon included activities on the campground, an evening meal, and a worship service that included a message from MARBC state representative Ken Floyd.

EMARBC Ladies Spring Missions Retreat – The ladies of the Eastern MARBC gathered at The Springs Retreat Center on April 12-14 for a spring missions retreat. The theme of the retreat was “Fanning the Flame of Missions.” Speakers included Renate Reiner, missionary to Brazil with Baptist Mid-Missions; Kelly Banks, missionary to East Asia with ABWE; and Sharon Floyd, MARBC secretary. The ladies enjoyed special skits, great meals, challenging sessions, and approved a special offering project.

Fusion Youth Retreat – Teens from several MARB churches gathered at Lake Ann Baptist Camp on April 13-15 for a special youth retreat called “Fusion.” Pastor Scott Florida, associate pastor of Alpine Baptist Church, shares that the desire of those churches participating was to revive much of the spiritual enthusiasm and programming of the former State Teen Conferences. Ken Rudolph was the keynote speaker for the weekend which also featured worship led by the churches participating, sports events, games, small group sessions, and meals. The weekend was deemed a great success and the hopes are that the event will grow to a state wide event in the next few years.

MANISTEE, Heritage Baptist Church (Eric Struble) – “Saved to Tell Others” was the theme of a month long missions emphasis in May at Heritage Baptist Church. A special day was held the first Sunday to kick off the emphasis featuring MARBC State Representative Ken Floyd and his wife Sharon. A fellowship meal and afternoon service were a part of the day's activities. Missionaries Harold and Charlene Curtis, who have served for 39 years in Niger and Benin in translation and teaching ministry with Evangelical Baptist Missions shared on May 13. Missionaries Michael and Kelly Banks, missionaries to East Asia with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, shared their ministry of evangelism, discipleship, and mentoring on May 20.

MARBC STATE BIBLE QUIZZING – The MARBC State Bible Quizzing program is an annual program that involves young people from several churches enjoying opportunities to share what they have learned in memorizing specially assigned Bible passages. This year's quizzing focused on the books of I and II Timothy and Titus. A special tournament was recently held and the following churches received recognition.
Elementary division: 1st place – First Baptist Church, Alto; 2nd place team – First Baptist Church, Alto. Teen division: 1st place – First Baptist Church, Caro; 2nd place – Evangel Baptist Church, Taylor. Heather Harduk of First Baptist in Alto took the top senior award.

If your church is interested in being a part of this very exciting ministry please contact our State Quiz Director, John Rasmus (john@quizprogram.org) or Mrs. Anne Harduk (karislabs@netzero.com). The quizzing begins again in September.

NEWAYGO, First Baptist Church (Mark Holeman) – The First Baptist Church rejoices in the calling of new Senior Pastor Mark Holeman. Pastor Mark comes from Calvary Community Baptist Church in Denver, CO, where he served as an assistant pastor in the areas of youth, outreach, and young families. Pastor Mark and his wife Jann have three children – Christian, Adam and Laura. An installation service was held on Sunday, April 22. Rev. Ken Floyd, MARBC State Representative, gave the main message. Pastor Jack Dowden, Jann's former Pastor, shared the Charge to the Church. Pastor Ron Workman, Interim Pastor at First Baptist, gave the Charge to the new Pastor. Retired Pastor and member of First Baptist, Rev. Larry Vincent, led in the prayer of installation and the laying on of hands by the deacons, and Pastors Workman and Vincent. The congregation and visitors, including several pastors from area churches, joined the Holemans in a time of fellowship with cake and ice cream. The church looks forward to an exciting time of serving the Lord together with their new pastor and family.

ROSCOMMON, Higgins Lake Baptist Church (Kevin Pierpont) – Higgins Lake Baptist Church held a special Sunday emphasis on Memorial Day weekend. The special emphasis included challenging messages from guest speaker Ken Floyd and a carry-in dinner open to the community. Like several of our MARB churches in the northern-lower and upper peninsulas summertime brings an increase in tourism and, therefore, attendance in our churches. Several people typically come to the area for summer residency, vacations, and recreational activities beginning on the holiday weekend. The church has had many opportunities to witness and minister to those who spend their summer in the area. Remember ministries like Higgins Lake this summer as they have special opportunities to reach out to the seasonal guests in their communities.

WYOMING, Maplelawn Baptist Church (Andrew Willis) – Maplelawn Baptist Church held an installation service for new Pastor Andrew Willis on Sunday morning, May 6. Interim Pastor Bill Brew charged the church to work alongside Pastor Willis and reminded the church family of how God defines success. Chairman of the Deacon Board, Jim Vance, answered the charge by Pastor Brew and committed to working alongside Pastor Willis to spread the gospel in the community. Member and missionary candidate to the Philippines, Tim Miskemen, brought the charge to Pastor Willis to faithfully serve the church and Pastor Willis shared his response. A luncheon followed the service.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES
ANNUAL GARBC Conference – “I Will Build My Church” is the theme of the 75th Anniversary GARBC Conference to be held this month, June 26-29, at the Lancaster Host Resort in Lancaster, PA. A pre-conference seminar on the subject of “Churches Planting Churches” will be held on Tuesday morning, June 26. For more details consult the latest issue of the Baptist Bulletin or visit the website at www.GARBC.org.

MARBC Messenger: The Messenger is a regular communication from the MARBC to our pastors and churches. Several MARBC Messengers are sent out each month from the MARBC office. If you have not received MARBC emails recently, be sure to contact marbcken@aol.com or marbcsharon@aol.com. Thank you!

MARBC 2007 Events

September 30, 2007
MARBC Day of Prayer
A statewide prayer emphasis in local churches and area fellowships
Information will be shared in upcoming issues of the BT!

October 22-24, 2007
65th Annual MARBC Conference
“Discerning the Times and Seasons”
Lake Ann Baptist Camp
Dr. Renald E. Showers
Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry

From this months: The Baptist Testimony – Volume 53 – Number 6 – June/July 2007